FAQ

Abdominoplasty FAQ

Will I have much pain?Yes, expect a moderate amount of discomfort. In general, the pain gets much better after about 4-5 days. Most people are able to do without much pain medication after that. A prescription for pain medication will be provided.

Will I have drains?
Yes. Your drains will be removed after drainage has slowed to 20 cc per drain per 24-hour period (or at least 48 hours). You will be asked to keep a daily log. The average removal time for drains is two weeks.

When can I shower?
After the drains are removed. In the meantime, sponge bath is encouraged.

When do the bandages get removed?
About five days after surgery.

When can I drive?
Approximately 5-7 days after surgery.

Will there be any bruising, swelling or loss of sensation?
Some swelling and minimal bruising are common. There will be some numbness at the lower abdomen. This generally resolves after a few months.

When can I begin exercising?
You are encouraged to start some walking as soon as possible to minimize the risk of lower leg blood clots. You may do fast walks and muscle toning in about a week. Most people are able to resume a full exercise program in about three weeks.

How soon may I return to work?
Some people with relatively sedentary jobs are able to return to work in as little as one week. Most people with light-duty type of jobs can return in about ten days to two weeks. Heavier job duties may require 3-4 weeks.

Is there a good position for sleep following abdominoplasty?
Sleeping in a slightly flexed position, knees and head elevated. In about three to four weeks you may be able to tolerate sleeping on your stomach.
What can I do for the scar?Massaging of scars is strongly recommended to minimize the appearance of scars. Our office carries ScarGuard for those who are interested.

Breast Augmentation FAQ

Will there be pain after surgery?Most people will experience quite a bit pressure. The pain experience varies. A prescription for pain medication will be provided. In general, the pain gets much better in about three days. Most people are able to do without much pain medication after that.

I think the implants are too large and too high. Help!

It is very common for the implants to appear to be a bit high, large, and tight immediately after surgery. This is due to some swelling and compression of the tissue, skin, fat and sometimes pectoralis muscle (depending on the placement of implants.) The implants placed under the pectoralis muscle tend to look tighter in the short term and take longer (about three weeks) for the implants to settle. After a few weeks, the appearance of the implants are generally very satisfactory.
Will I need to wear a special bra or wrapping after surgery?You do not need to wear any special bras for support. Some people may feel more comfortable with soft bras. You will have small dressings at the incision sites after surgery but not a circumferential wrap. I generally recommend against wearing supportive bras in the first month (except when you exercising) to allow the implants to settle.
When can I shower?About five days after surgery. The incision sites should be kept dry. In the meantime, sponge bath is encouraged.
When do the bandages get removed?5-7 days after surgery at your first postoperative visit.
Will there be any bruising, swelling or loss of sensation?Mild swelling and minimal bruising is common. There can be some numbness at or around the nipple area. This is generally resolved after a few months. This is most commonly due to stretch of the sensory nerves. A few people can have permanently decreased sensation of the breasts.
How soon can I exercise?You may start light exercise such as brisk walking or treadmill exercise within a few days. You should wait about 7-10 days before heavy lifting. Running and swimming can be started around 2-3 weeks.
When can I return to work?In general, most people are able to perform sedentary work in about five days. More vigorous work can be started about ten days.
What can I do for the scars?Massaging of scars is strongly recommended to minimize the appearance of scars. Our office carries ScarGuard for those who are interested.
I hear some squishing sound in my chest when I lean forward. Is it normal?This is due to the small residual air pocket between the implants and the pockets created for the implants. As we inserted the implants into the pockets, a small amount of air is trapped in the pockets. It can make the squishing noise as the implants move with position change. There is nothing to worry about. The air is absorbed in about one week.
How soon can I fly after breast augmentation?Since there is a small amount of air in the pockets right after surgery and the air can expand at high altitude, we recommend no flying for ten days after surgery.

What is ALCL and what do I need to know about it?ALCL, or Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphma is an uncommon lymphoma that can develop at the capsule scar around the implants. Vast majority of the cases involve textured implants. It generally occurs around 3 to 14 years after breast augmentation and presents with swelling. I most cases the disease is cured with the removal of implants. For more information, see the American Society of Plastic Surgeons web site here.

Facelift FAQ

Will there be pain after the surgery?There is usually mild pain, however, significant pain is uncommon. A prescription for pain medication will be provided.
Will there be drains?I do not use drain for the mini facelift. Small drains are used in full facelift and are removed the next day.
When is my first office visit?The first visit is scheduled the day after surgery for the full facelift and 5-6 days for the mini facelift. The dressing is removed and the operated area is carefully checked for bleeding and any other problems. It is a good idea to bring a scarf with you to cover your hair after the dressing is removed.
What can I expect after dressings are removed?You will need to begin application of antibiotic ointment to suture lines around the ears and scalp. You will also need to begin applying warm compresses to the lower face.
After the surgery will I be able to sleep normally?It is recommended you sleep on your back with two pillows supporting your head until the sutures are removed. This helps minimize swelling.
When are sutures removed?I usually use dissolvable sutures and they do. It need to be removed. Massaging of scars is strongly recommended to minimize the appearance of scars.
How long can I expect swelling and bruising

By one week, the swelling is much less and the bruising is usually at the neck area. By 10-14 days, the bruising can generally be concealed with make-up.
How soon can I exercise?Walking and other light exercise can begin within days after surgery. You should wait about two weeks to begin jogging, weight training and other cardiovascular types of exercise to avoid risk of bleeding.

Blepharoplasty FAQ

Will I have pain?There is usually minimal pain, however, a prescription for pain medication will be prescribed.
Will I need to do anything following the procedure?A cool compress applied to the eyes for the first 24 hours following your surgery is recommended. Apply the cold compress for 15-20 minutes at a time. After the first 24 hours, warm compress will be more helpful. Do not bear down, bend down or lift heavy things as these actions can increase the chance of bleeding.
Can I get the incisions wet?Try to keep the incisions dry until the sutures are removed.
Can I wear make-up?No, not until the sutures are removed.
When are the sutures removed?Approximately five days following surgery.
Will there be bruising?There will be bruising and swelling for the first week following surgery. In general, the swelling is most significant during the second and third day and gets better after that. The bruising will start to improve about five days after surgery and will be nearly gone by ten days.
Can I sleep normally?It is recommended you sleep on your back with two pillows supporting your head for the first week following surgery.
When can I return to work?If your work is relatively sedentary, you may possibly be back to work as early as five days. By 7-10 days, the bruising may have resolved enough to be hidden with make-up.
How about exercise?Light exercise such as walking is encouraged as soon as possible. Muscle toning, fast walking, etc. are possible by one week. Running and heavy lifting is allowed at two weeks.

Liposuction FAQ

Will I have much pain?
In general the pain is a dull type of ache. A prescription for pain medication will be provided. The pain usually becomes much more tolerable within a day or two.

What can I expect after surgery?
It is very important to wear the compression garment 24 hours a day for the first week after surgery to avoid fluid accumulation. It is also strongly recommended that you continue to wear the garment for two more weeks to facilitate reduction of edema. It is advised to drink plenty of fluids after surgery. Gatorade or any other type of electrolyte solution is best, 1-2 liters a day for the first 2-3 days.

Will there be bruising and swelling?Yes. Moderate bruising is normal after liposuction. This generally subsides in about 7-10 days. Typically, swelling begins soon after surgery. There may be swelling in the groin due to the procedure and compression garment during the first week after surgery. Even though there will be visible improvement within weeks of the procedure, you will not see the final results of the liposuction until several months after the procedure.

When can I shower?After your first post-op visit. In the meantime, sponge bath is encouraged.

When can I return to work?
You may return to light duty work in 3-6 days.

When can I exercise?
Walking and upper body toning can begin as early as the second postoperative day. More vigorous exercise can begin at about ten days.

When is my first post-op visit?
5-7 days after surgery.

Will the fat return?
All fat cells are not removed, therefore, if weight is gained the fat cells can expand. However, you are not likely to gain fat back only at the suctioned areas.

Can I lose a lot of weight with liposuction?This is not a weight reduction procedure. We strongly recommend that you exercise and diet to achieve your weight reduction goal. The best candidates for liposuction are those with only specific areas of fatty tissue to be removed.

What are the complications?
Complications are infrequent but include dehydration, deep venous thrombosis (blood clots to legs), surface contour irregularities and infection.

Rhinoplasty FAQ

Will there be pain after the surgery?
There is usually mild pain, however, significant pain is uncommon. A prescription for pain medication will be provided.

When is my first office visit?
The first visit is scheduled five days after surgery. You should keep you head elevated on two pillows when sleeping to facilitate reduction of swelling. Leave the plastic splint intact until the first office visit.

When are sutures removed?
No sutures need to be removed with closed rhinoplasty as all the incisions are internal. A few tiny sutures are removed in the first follow-up visit if open rhinoplasty is performed. Massaging of scars is strongly recommended to minimize the appearance of scars. Our office carries ScarGuard for those who are interested.

How long can I expect swelling and bruising?
The swelling is usually the most 2-4 days after surgery. By one week, the swelling is much less and the bruising is usually at the lower eyelid area. By ten days, the bruising can generally be concealed with make-up.

How long does it take for the swelling to go away?
Although you can generally see the improvement soon after surgery, it can take several months for all the swelling to subside and the final result to take shape.

How soon can I exercise?
Walking and other light exercise can begin within days after surgery. You should wait about two weeks to begin jogging, weight training and other cardiovascular types of exercise to avoid risk of bleeding.

Plastic Surgery Institute of New Mexico maintains this web site to provide information of a general nature about the specialty of plastic surgery and other non-surgical procedures. The information is provided with the understanding that Plastic Surgery Institute of New Mexico is not engaging in the rendering of any specific plastic surgery medical advice or recommendations to any person viewing this site. The information provided on this website is provided on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis without any representation or endorsement made and without warranty of any kind, whether expressed or implied.

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Plastic Surgery Institute of New Mexico

The surgery that I received from Dr. Chen was beyond expectations, it was just what I needed. I was so very pleased with the results. The staff are all so wonderful and kind. I continue to remain a patient with what I call facial “ rejuvenation’s” .Thank you to Davery who gives such wonderful attention and care!read more

I cannot express how impressed I am with Dr. Chen, his team and my overall experience! From my initial consultation to my follow up visits, I received amazing care and customer service. I was beginning to loose hope with the providers I met with and thought I'd have to settle for a doctor. However, after meeting with Dr. Chen, I immediately knew he held all the qualities I was looking for in a provider to meet my specific needs. Dr. Chen made me feel very comfortable and was open to all of the questions I had and patiently answered them in a way that I understood. He is very knowledgeable of his work and provided honest feedback and suggestions. The day of my surgery, everything went smoothly. Dr. Chen and his team explained everything in detail not only to me but to my husband and mother who were just as nervous as I was. They again patiently answered all our questions (sometimes answering the same question multiple times) which helped put us all at ease. The recovery process was a lot smoother than I expected which I believe is contributed to Dr. Chen's skills, knowledge, care for his patients and his team. Post op, Dr. Chen personally called me to see how I was feeling and ensure I didn't have any questions/concerns and was readily available by phone when I did have a question. I am now two months post op and my results have exceeded my expectations and I couldn't have asked for a better outcome! I highly recommend Dr. Chen and will return in the future without a doubt. Thank you PSI!read more

Dr. Chen along with his staff were nothing short of amazing! I had such a wonderful experience at his office, I highly recommend him to everyone! I will definitely be returning in the future for any other cosmetic procedures! Thank you for taking such great care of me ❤️read more

Dr. Chen and staff are amazing very kind and compassionate. Highly trust him and his clinical judgment as a surgeon. He did an amazing job minimum scarring and pain. Would highly recommended. Very quick and flexible to get a consult and schedule a procedure.read more

I cannot more highly recommend Dr. Chen as a Plastic Surgeon of choice here in New Mexico. His vast experience, distinct attention to each and every detail, and most importantly, his gentle tough as a surgeon is up and above! I have had previous Plastic Surgery done in another state and was highly considering returning to that surgeon, however after my initial consultation with Dr. Chen, there was absolutely no question in my mind that I was totally comfortable with him and the results I could expect would meet my expectations. He has treated both myself and my husband, and consequently a friend from California also flew out here after she saw my results. We are all hugely grateful to Dr. Chen and his Staff for their expertise and 100% care through the entire process of our surgeries! read more